Portable repress machine



4 Sheets-5heet W. E. FRENCH PORTABLE REPREss MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1950 s@ a o@ o /o @.0090 am n* K n /l n W lill.. .I o /14 M 1J C lo... D@ .\l m# KN. N l Il; MON. P0 s H J 5 um@ Sept. 27, 1932.

Sept. 27, 1932. 1w. E. FRENCH PORTABLE REPRESS MACHINE Filed Deo. 31, 195o 4 Sheets-sheet 2 gwumtofv W. E. Franci?,

Sept. 27, 1932. w. E FRENCH 1,879,166

PORTABLE REPilEss MACHINE Filed Dec. 31. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 W E. French,

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Sept. 27, 1932. w E. FRENCH 1,879,166

PORTABLE REPBESS MACHINE 'Filed Dec, 5l, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 W E. French,

Patented Sept. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES WILLIAM n. FRENCH, or LANCASTER1 PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNR rro LANCASTER lInoN Wonxs, INC., or LANCAsfr-na, rsrINsYLvANrAA IPATENTA omer.

CGBPEIATIQN GF PENNSYLVANIA' f [application December S1, 1930. Serial No. 505;@1118.

he invention forming the subject matter of this application is a portable repress machine particularly adapted for use in repressing of clay shapes such as are commonly used i. in the building brick and fire brick industries.

In manufacturing lire bricks it is advisable repress these brick.V This was a very slow and tiresome job and was later improvedL upon by a motor being used to perform the repressing operation. However, even with the motor operated repress of the prior art, 'i the operator still has to eject the brick manually from the die after it has been repressed.

The main obj ect of the invention is to pro-V vide a machine in whichthe brick is repressed mechanically after being lplaced in the die g and in which the repressed brick is mechanically ejected from the die at thetermination of the repressing operation.

Another object of the invention is to pro,

vide a portable machine in which the lmotive power for operating the repressing mechanism may be utilized for moving the machine bodily from place to placein theg-repressing plant. u

Other objects of the invention will appear as the following description of a preferred and practical embodiment thereofA proceeds. In the drawings: v Figure 1 is a central vertical section through the portable repress machine constituting thepresent invention; j f

Figure 2 is a plan view of the press shown in Figure 1, with the operating motor removed toshow details of construction.

Figure 3 is a rear end elevation of the repress machine With parts'broken away and .crossV rods 6. iowerrpart of pivot bearing 11, fits in a bored opening. in casterl, which forms the front fj shown in section to illustrate the mechanism for driving the machine as a whole fromv place to place in the plant; l v Y Figure l is afront end velevaton of theA machine; and Y 1 i F igure' is a fragmentary detailof the repress arms, and yillustrating the means -`1n said arms for Vlocking a, shaft, forming part of the ejector tion. 4 j v As shown inthe drawings, the repress machine comprises a pair of side plates 1' and 2 spaced apart atsthe rear, end tlfiereofby` al shaft .3, suitably journaled in said plate and lhaving the wheels 4 and 5 secured to the end thereof in any convenient manner. The front ends of the plates 1 and l2are connected to learn` other by a square rod 6, having its opposite ends secured by lll-bolts Z and 8 to angle brackets'Q andlO, boltedrto the inside faces of the plates 1 and 2, respectively.v

A pivot bearing 11 is mounted on square pivot pin 12, forming the Support for the framework comprising Ythe plates 1 and 2 and the cross square rody 6. rllhe caster 13 may be of any convenient and ,commony mechanical construction and is provided with a forwardly projecting lug 141, having a hole 15` formedtherein to receive the bent end 16 of ahandle 17 which be used to guide the machine as a whole ina-ny desired direction. I

The motive power for operating there*v irthe motor 18 to the plate 19.V Y v The shaft2ll ofthe' motor 18 is'operably f connectedby a link belt and pulleyrmechanism', designated generally by the reference character 25, to the shaft 26 of a reducer 27,' the base of which is'bolted ork otherwise suitably secured to a cross plate l28 extending bemechanism, in operative posisecured to angle brackets 29 and 30, which are bolted in turn to the said side plates 1 and 2.

The reducer shaft 31 extends across the machine between the side plates 1 and 2, and has a sprocket gear 32 fixed to 'one end thereof and meshing with a sprocket chain 33, extending a sprocket gear 34 which is mounted to rotate freely on the shaft 3, as shown clearly in Figure 3. A driving collar 35 is keyed on the shaft 3 to rotate therein 'and is provided with a series of holes 36 adapted to register with similarholes 37 formed in the sprocket gear 34. These holes 36 and 37 are adapted when registered, to receive a driving pin 38 for the purpose of imparting the rotation of the sprocket gear 34 to the shaft 3 and thereby to thewhe'els 4 and 5 for the purpose of propelling the repressing machine as a whole from place to place, whenever found necessary or desirable.

The other end of the reducer shaft 31 has a sprocket gear 38" fixed thereto; and ya sprocket chain 39 extends around the gear 38 and around the second sprocket wheel 40 which is suitably secured to a crank shaft 41 suitably journaled in bearings formed in the opposite supporting plates 1 and 2. Upon the crank throw 42 of the crank shaft 41 there is mounted a connecting rod 43 which is pivoted at its outer end by means of a pivot bolt 44 to one end of a fulcrum arm 45, the other end of which is supported, pivot fashion, on the top of an adjusting screw 46. I

Two of these adjusting screws 46 are shown in Figure 4 of the drawings as being adjustably mounted on angle brackets 47 and 48 having the lower flanges thereof connected Vby a bracing plate 49. The center part of the fulcrum arm has upturned lugs 50 formed thereon to receive and s-eat a shaft 51 for supporting a roller 52, the ends of the rip-turned lugs being suitably slotted to form journal bearings for the said shaft 51.

The roller 52 is adapted'to contact with a wear plate 53 secured by a shear pin 54 to the bottom end of a plunger 55 which is slidably mounted in the Vcross rails 56 and 57 extending between and suitably secured to the side plates 1 and 2 of the machine framework. The-top plate 58 of the plunger 55 extends substantially across the machine between two angle iron brackets 59 and 6() (see Figure 2) which form the support for the die 61 in which the bricks are to be repressed.

The fulcrum arm 45 carries a shaft 62 which extends in opposite directions through the side plates 1 and 2 of the framework. The projecting end of the shaft 62 has the arms 63 and 64 pivotally mounted thereon; and these arms extend upwardly from the shaft 62 to formA aiyoke adapted to swing i about the shaft 62 as an axis toward and away from the die 61. To form this yoke the upper ends of the arms 63 and 64 are screwthreaded to receive suitable adjusting and lock nuts for securing a cross plate 65 to the upper ends of said arms; the said plate 65 being suitably apertured to form a handle 66.

The shaft 62 which carries the arms 63 and 64 at its opposite ends is mounted to slide snugly in arcuate slots formed in the opposite supporting plates 1 and 2, only one of these slots 67 being shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. These slots are struck from a center formed by the Contact line of the fulcrum arm 45 with the top of the adjusting -screws 46 in order to maintain the axis of the shaft 62 in alinement with the axis of the plunger 55.

The slots 67 permit the fulerum arm 45 andits associated parts to be removed without dismantling the entire machine. The cross bars 88, see Figure 1, are provided to act as a` stop for fulcrum arm 45 at the time that ejecting motion takes place. At all other times the fulcrum arm 45 is clear of these bars. p

The plunger 55 is provided centrally with a slot 68 adapted to receive. slidably the `end l69 of an ejector arm 70, which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the ejector shaft 71. The ends of the shaft 71 are slidably mounted in slots formed in the opposite side plates 1 and 2,' of which slots only the one formed on the side plate 1 and designated by the reference character 72 is illustrated in the drawings. The projecting ends of the shaft 71 extend into` the path of movement of the arms63 and 64, and are adapted to seat inarcuate slots `(shown clearly in Figure 5) formed in the `rear edges of the varms 63 and 64. One 'of these arcuate slots 73 is shown in Figure 5 as being formed Von the arm 64, with a part of the 'shaft 71 seated therein. An adjustable link 74 has p one of its ends pivotally connected tothe rear end of the ejector arm 70, and has its lother end pivotally connected to the fulcrum arm 45 between the ends thereof, and in the slot formed in said arm 45 for this purpose.

Y The side plates 1 and 2 are provided with ends 77 and 78 of the shaft 71 serve Vas stops to seat in the slot 73 and limit the movement rearwardly of the said arms '63 and v64. l'

form vof angle brackets with fabric facing LeT-ence `(brake lining) are bolted to side plates 1 and 2.

The framework of the machine is provided with suitable switches .79 and 8O adapted to be set in operation by contact with one of the arms 68 or 64 in its limit position in order to set in motion the motor 18 and thereby start the mechanism in operation either for repressing or for ejecting a brick placed in the die 61. The motor is provided with suitable limit switches and braking mechanism which causes the motor to stop in s. predetermined position, which is the position on dead center of the connecting rod 48 as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. This switch and brake mechanismare not sho-wn or described in this application7 because they are old and well known in the art and their details of construction form no particular part of the present invention.

The motor mechanism is designed so that upon actuationy of either of the switches 79 or 80, the motor will rotate to move the rod 48 and the mechanism connected therewith through a single cycle of movement from the position shown in Figure 1 of thel draw- Y ings to exactly the same position `at the end of that cycle of movement. At the completion of a cycle of movement the motor stops and remains stopped unless and until the arms 63 and 64 are moved from Contact position with one of the sWitc-hes 79 or 80 into contact 'position with the other of said switches. It is to be understood however, that the machine may be provided with a switch for operating the motor independently of either of the switches 79 or v80, as for example, where itl may be found necessary toV repeat a repressing operation on the same brick in the die 61 or to repeat an ejecting operation from the said die 61. In all cases however, it must beunderstood-that when the motor is once started it will not stop until it has completed a single cycle'of operation so that the connecting rod and associated mechanism comes to rest in the position shown in FigureL 1 of the drawings.

In order to regulate the pressure of the plunger 58 in the pressure mold, the-bearings for the shaft 62 are constructed to apply a yielding pressure toY saidV plunger.V As

shown in the drawings, each bearing for the ,shaft 62 includes a laterally extended end 81 formed on the lower end of the yoke n arms 63 or 64 and shaped to providethe upper halfA of the bearing for shaft 62. i rIhe lower half'of vsaid bearing comprises a block 82 adapted to be secured to the end 81 by bolts 88 passing through suitable registering apertures in the end 81 and block'82.

The bol-'1s 83 extend through suitable apertures in a rubber block 84 and in a clampingV pressure desired on `jgilunger 58 throughv blocks 84'and toclamp the shaft 62 yieldingly against the upper half of its bearing in the end 81 of the yoke arms 63 and'64. i

These rubber bearing inserts yprovide a light weicht positive means-for regulating the limit of pressure of theplunger 58 on the bricks being repressed in the moldv 61. They also permit much higher pressures to be secured than can be obtained by the use of such sp ings as are capable .of being employed in theflimited space at the end bearings of the yoke arms. 1 Y

In the operation ofthe invention; Letit be assumed that the repressing machine is in the position shown in Figure 1 ofthe drawings and that a brick hash-een placed in the die 61 forzrepressing purposes; Although one of the repressing yoke arms 63 or 64 is in contact with the switch 79, the motor 18 isat rest. When the repressing yoke is pulled over to Arepressing position by the handler66, one of its arms willycontact with the switch 8O and set the motor 18 in operation. This sets the crank shaft 41-in rotation and swings the ful'crum arm 45 about-.its pivotal connection on' top of the adjusting screws 46, thereby moving the shaft 62 downwardly in the slots 67. .At the same time the roller 52 imand fro inthe slot 68 Vformed in the plunger 55. Continuedrotation of the crank shaft 41V eventually` brings the connecting `rod '43 and its associated mechanism to the predetermined stop position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and completesthe repressing operationl onl a brick placed in the die 61.-

The repressed'brickis'now ready for ejection from Jdiedie 61. Heretcfore,V this ejecting movement` has Vvbeen performed manually. In the present case the ejection is performedmerely by moving the repressing yoke from its vertical repressing position to the inclined ejecting position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. rIn moving this yoke from 'the vertical to the inclined position vthecurvedguiding edge 81' of the slot ,73

contacts with the projecting ends??v and 7 8 of the shaft 71 and locks this shaft against sliding movement in the slot 72, .at the same time the switch 7 9'is set in operation to cause rotation of the motor 18. rIhe connectingfrod 48 and the associated mechanism move exactly as they did in the repressing operation.v -However, since the shaft 71 is now locked in position the ejecting arm 70 is rocked about the shaf-t 71 Aand, the `end 69 ist thereof engages a rounded lug 82 in the upper end of the slot 68 to raise the plunger head 58 suiiciently to eject the brick from the die 61. During this ejecting operation, the plunger 55 is raised clear of the roller 52 and is supported Wholly by the end 69 of the ejecting arm 70. I

lVhenever it is found necessary or desirable to move the repressing machine from one place to another', the pin 38 may be inserted in a pair of registering apertures 36 and 37 of the driving collar 35 and sprocket gear 34, respectively, in order to cause rotation of the driving*` and supporting Wheels 4 and 5 to effect movement of the machine as a Whole, Which may be guided by suitable operationV of the caster 18 under control of the handle 17.

Vhile l have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, it must be understood that the invention is not to be considered as limited to the particular form shown, but extends to all construction for performing the same function and as limited only by the claims appended hereto.

lVhat claim is: Y

l. A press comprising an open ended mold chamber adapted to receive material to be pressed, means for exerting pressure on material in said chamber and including closure for vone end of said chamber andmechanism automatically started in operation by the closing of said chamber to drive said pressure means, said mechanism being normally inoperative.

2. A press comprising an open ended mold chamber adapted to receive material to be pressed, means for exerting pressure on material in said chamber and including a closure movable to a predetermined position to close one end of said chamber and to a predetermined chamber openingk position, mechanism automatically set in operation by movement of said closure'to chamber closing position to operate said pressure means, and means set in operation by said mechanism on movement of said closure to said predetermined chamber opening position for ejecting material from said chamber, said mechanism being normally inoperative until Aset in operation by movement-.of the closure from one predetermined position to the other..

3. A press comprising a mold chamber adapted to receive material to be pressed, means for opening and closing said chamber, pressure means for exerting pressure on material in said chamber and including an actuating lever, a driven shaft, and means for actuating said lever from said driven shaft, said driven shaft and means being automatically stopped when the said lever reachesa predetermined position after an actuation thereof.

4L. A press comprising -a mold chamber adapted to receive material to be pressed,

means for opening and closing said chamber,

means for exerting pressure on material in said chamber and for ejecting material from said chamber, and means for automatically operating said pressure means by movements of the first named means to press and eject material from said chamber successively.

5. A press comprising a mold chamber adapted to receive material to be pressed, pressure means adapted to press the materal in said chamber, operatingmechanism for said pressure means, and a movable closure for said chamber, saidoperating mechanism being automatically started in operation by positioning the closure in chamber closing position and stopped after a pressure oper tion.

6. A press comprising a mold chamber adapted to receive material to be pressed, pressure means adapted to press the material in said' chamber, operating mechanism for said pressure means, a movable closure for said chamber, and means automatically operated by moving the closure to chamber, closing position for operating said mechanism through a predetermined cycle of movement and to stop the operation thereof at the end of said cycle. j

7. A press comprising a mold chamber, a movable closure forming one Wall of said chamber, a plunger forming another Wall of said chamber, an actuating lever connected to move said closure and plungerytoivard and from each other, a driven shaft, and mea-ns for automatically starting said shaft to actuate said lever by said shaft and from a predetermined position at the start of an actuating movement to the same predetermined position at the end of such movement and to stop said shaft automatically at the end of such movement.

8. A press comprising a mold chamber, amovable closure Vforming one Wall of said chamber, a plunger forming the opposite ivall of said chamber, an actuating lever connected to move said closure and plunger toward and fromcach other, ejecting mechanism Vpivotally connected to said actuatinglever, a driven shaft, and meansconnected to said shaft for automatically actuating said lever and ej ecting mechanism.

chamber When the closure is in chamber closing position and for actuating said lever and ejecting mechanism for moving said plunger a further predetermined distance in said chamber when the said closure yoke and closure are moved. to a predetermined position away from closing position.

10. A press comprising an open ended mold chamber, a plunger slidable in rsaid chamber and forming the bottom wall there- ;of, an actuating lever having a pair oit trunnions extending laterally Ytherefrom and engaging and actuating said plunger, ejecting mechanism pivotally connected to said lever and also enaging said plunger, ayoke strad-V .plunger forming the bottom wall of sait chamber, a lever having a pair of laterally Xtending trunnio'ns and engaging said plunger to actuate the plunger, a closure yoke straddling said chamber, the lower end oi each arm oi' said yoke being shaped to form a bearing for one of said trunnions, complementary bearing blocks tor said trunnion, a clamping plate, a block of yielding material arranged between said clamping plate and one of said complementary bearing blocks, and means for holding said complementary bearing blocks and yielding material and clamping plate in assembled position on each of said arms.

l2. A press comprising an open ended mold chamber, a plunger forming the bottom wall of said chamber, an actuating lever hav-A ing a pair of laterally extending trunnions and engaging said plunger to actuate it, a closure yoke straddling said chamber and having split bearings at the lower end oi each of its arms to form journals for said trunnions, and means including blocks of yielding material for clamping said bearings yieldingly to said trunnion, a closure carried by said yoke and forming the top wall of said mold when positioned thereover, and means for actuating said lever.

13. A press comprising an open ended mold chamber, a plunger forming the bottom wall of said chamber, a closure yoke Straddling said chamber and having a plate ysecured thereto to ormthe top wall of said chamber, actuating mechanism for said plunger, a motor, and-means operated by positioning said yoke with its plate in a predetermined position above said chamber t0 start said motor and move said actuating mechanism from a predetermined position and to stop said motor when said mechanism arrives at thesame predetermined position.

14. A press comprising framework including a pair of parallel spaced apart plates, a mold chamber supported-by said plates, a plunger slidable between said plates to forni the bottom wall of said chamber, a yoke straddling said plates and having a. closure adapted to form the top wall of'said charnbcr, an actuatinglever for said plunger having laterally extending trunnions slidable in slots formed insaid pair of plates, yieldable bearings secured to the end ot the arms of said yoke and clamped to said trunnion outside of said plates, an ejecting lever having one end thereof engaging said plunger and having trunnions intermediate the ends thereof slidably mounted in .slots formed in said plates, the arms of said yoke being provided with notches adapted when the yoke is in open position to engage the last named trunnion to lock said ejectinglever rotatablyv yabout a fixed airis on said parallel plates and means for actuating said actuating lever to operate said plunger directly` by said actuating lever when the said closure is in closing position on said chamber and to actuate said ejecting lever when seated in the notches on the arms of said yoke.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

WILLIAM n. FRENCH. 

